I had thought about making a "Fun Question" on this subject but decided to just start a thread on it.

I have noticed a couple of threads where it has been stated or otherwise inferred that the 4V Clevelands have higher compression ratios than the 2V Clevelands. I think it needs to be stated that this is true under certain circumstances but NOT true under others.

I am curious as to who among you believe you can identify the circumstances where a 4V Cleveland has a higher compression ratio than a 2V Cleveland (and vice versus) during the 1971 - 1973 time period.

IIRC the closed chamber heads produced a 10.7:1 compression and open chamber heads yielded a 9.4:1 ratio.
The Boss had an 11+:1 ratio due to a small dome on the pistons, other 71,72 Clevelands used flat top pistons. The 73 used a dished piston with an open chamber head for a 8.7:1 ratio on both the 2v and 4v. The 73 4v heads had the large ports with 2v sized valves.

However, I would like to take it just a bit further. What was the actual compression ratios on the 71 and 72 4V and 2V, respectively.

Both of you obviously know the answer but I want to make it very clear to those who for some reason believe there is a BIG difference between the compression ratios for REGULAR 4V open chamber heads and 2V open chamber heads for a given year as it relates to compression ratio.

I submit there is a difference in port volumes in the 4V and 2V heads and I believe that is where the confusion is coming from as it relates to the perceived impact on compression ratios.

1973 All has @ 8.0 (uses a slightly different head and piston from 71 and 72)

The thing to keep in mind is that 1971 (for our scenario) is the only year where the quench (closed) chambered heads were offered. The quench chambered heads had a smaller chamber volumes which made for higher compression ratio when compared with the open chamber heads.

After 1971, the open chamber heads were used exclusively within the U.S. BOTH the 2V and the 4V had the SAME approximate chamber volume which means they shared the SAME compression ratio.

Going to open chamber heads when replacing open chamber 2V heads will NOT (in of itself) give you a higher compression ratio. Of course, you could change the pistons to reach that goal (on any of the heads).

A very good point was brought up on another thread (THANKS again, Totalled) which speaks to often "different" published data as to the clearance volumes and resultant compression ratios of the different 351C engines.

Lets discuss "Real World" evidence, specifically I would like to address situations where you may have had your heads cc'd to determine combustion chamber volumes.

I will start it off by noting that when I had my original 1973 351CJ heads cc'd, there were variances in the heads which I had the machine shop equalize. Unfortunately, I don't think I have the original "numbers" anymore.